Minnesota Air National Guard Recognizes Airmen

The Minnesota Air National Guard hosted its first-ever Flight of Honor induction ceremony in mid-October, recognizing seven inaugural inductees for career accomplishments.

Flight of Honor recognizes past and present airmen from the 133rd Airlift Wing, the 148th Fighter Wing, and Joint Force Headquarters, Minnesota Air National Guard, who have distinguished themselves with notable professional achievement and service or heroism.

Maj. Gen. Wayne C. Gatlin

Maj. Gen. Wayne C. Gatlin's military career began in 1944 when he earned his pilot designation. He was assigned to the U.S. Eighth Air Force in England where he flew P-47 and P-51 fighters.

Gatlin logged 55 combat sorties during World War II and was credited with destroying one German ME-262 jet and damaging another. After the war, he briefly served in the Texas Air National Guard.

Gatlin was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota. He returned to Duluth in 1950 to join the Minnesota Air National Guard. He was the individual high scorer at the 1954, 1955 and 1956 Air National Guard gunnery competitions.

He became 179th Fighter Squadron commander in 1960, then later advanced as commander of the 148th Fighter Interceptor Group, a position he held until 1978. He assumed the role of chief of staff of the Minnesota Air National Guard and was promoted to major general in 1980.

Gatlin served as chief of staff until Aug. 25, 1984 – the same day he flew his last sortie. Gatlin was the last actively flying WWII combat pilot in the entire Air National Guard and completed 42 years of service. He logged 6,747 hours in over a dozen aircraft.

Gatlin, an avid photographer, documented 34 years of the 148th Fighter Wing's history with his photos. Gatlin was active in his community as well as the Minnesota Air National Guard.

He served as a board chair at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth, president of the Duluth Rotary Club, president of the Minnesota National Guard Association, and a served as a member of the Air Defense Command Reserve Policy Board.

Col. Julia "Julie" Eszlinger-Jensen

Col. Julia "Julie" Eszlinger-Jensen honorably served in the Minnesota Air National Guard from 1965-1997. During that time, Eszlinger-Jensen served as a flight nurse, commander of the 109th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and was the first Air National Guard nurse to be appointed to the Air National Guard Medical Advisory Committee.

Additionally, Eszlinger-Jensen participated in two tours in the Vietnam War. After leaving the Minnesota National Guard in 1991, Eszlinger-Jensen transferred to the Air Force Reserve, where she finished her illustrious 32-year military career in 1997.

Brig. Gen. Ray S. Miller

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Ray S. Miller served with the Aviation Section, Signal Corps, U.S. Army during World War I. After his release, he entered the Minnesota National Guard on July 1, 1920.

A few months later, Miller and Brig. Gen. W.F. Rhinow and Lt. Col. William Garis rented a Curtiss Oriole biplane and made a daring seven-day journey, crossing half of the U.S. to lobby for the formation of a flying squadron.

Because of this dauntless display of aircraft capability and the apparent lack of air support, the Militia Bureau formed the Air National Guard. On Jan. 17, 1921, the 109th Observation Squadron was federally recognized as the nation's first Air National Guard unit.

Throughout the years, Miller was a strong advocate for aviation. He served on the Minnesota Aeronautics Commission and was engaged in the licensing process of Minnesota's aircraft and pilots. He was called upon to serve in World War II and the Korean War. Miller was the wing commander of the 133rd Airlift Wing for 29 years and retired from military service in 1951.

Master Sgt. Derrick Schmitt

Master Sgt. Derrick Schmitt began his career in the military in 1991 when he was assigned to the 133rd Security Forces Squadron. While assigned to the unit, he was the first to be selected from the Minnesota Air National Guard to attend the Phoenix Raven Program, an elite anti-terrorism career field within Security Force.

After Sept. 11, 2001, he was activated for two years as a Raven Team Leader. Schmitt also impacted airmen's lives when he was selected to be first sergeant for the 133rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Throughout his more than 22 years of service, Schmitt participated in numerous operations, including Operation Name Masked, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Anaconda.

His final assignment was with the Minnesota National Guard Headquarters in the Minnesota Counter Narcotics Task Force. Master Sgt. Schmitt retired from military service in 2013.

Col. Mary Ann Mecom

Col. Mary Ann Mecom honorably served in the Minnesota Air National Guard from 1968 – 1994. Mecom distinguished herself by serving as the chief nurse for the 133rd Medical Squadron, now the 133rd Medical Group, and later as the chief nurse for the Minnesota Air National Guard. Those who had the honor of working or knowing Mecom remember her excellent leadership skills and compassion for life.

Throughout her more than 25 years of service, Mecom participated in Operations Desert Shield and Storm. When Col. Mecom was not in military uniform, she volunteered hundreds of hours. At the end of her military career, Mecom made 133rd Airlift Wing history by becoming the first woman to be promoted to colonel.

Maj. Gen. John Dolny

Maj. Gen. John Dolny served admirably as the second wing commander of the 133rd Airlift Wing for 25 years, from 1952 - 1977. He enlisted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in March of 1942 and received his commissioning as a second lieutenant in 1943.

He logged 134 combat missions and 211 combat hours in the A-36, P-40, and P-47 fighter aircraft during World War II.

While serving with the 525th Squadron of the 86th Fighter Group in Italy, Dolny was shot down while attacking a convoy of military vehicles. Dolny crossed into friendly territory near the Anzio Beachhead and was picked up by U.S. infantry troops.

After his tour of duty, he returned to the United States in September 1946 and was released from active duty in 1947. He joined the Minnesota Air National Guard in March 1947.

In December 1952, Dolny became the second wing commander of the 133rd Airlift Wing, then named the 133rd Fighter-Interceptor Wing. During his 25 years as wing commander, he was instrumental in transitioning through three significant mission changes, including taking the Wing from a fighter to a transportation wing. Dolny retired from military service in 1981.

Chief Master Sgt. Jerome Blazevic

In 1946, Chief Master Sgt. Jerome Blazevic was drafted into the U.S. Army at Fort Snelling and attended basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas, "A" Company, 14th Infantry Regiment. He attended advanced training at

Camp Pickett, in Blackstone West Virginia. as a rifleman and was later assigned as a chaplain's assistant, deployed to Europe on the SS Hampton Sydney Victory and was assigned to Headquarters Company, 2nd Replacement Depot. Blazevic served as a driver for legal officers at the Nuremburg War Trials. During this time, he was asked by a priest as a favor to drive civilians part-way along his route on several occasions. In this capacity, Blazevic provided Jewish survivors transportation on their way to the newly established state of Israel. He returned to the U.S. in April 1947 and was honorably discharged at the rank of corporal.

Blazevic returned to his job as a foreman at Diamond Tool and Caulk in 1948 and worked there until 1954.

In 1954, Blazevic enlisted at the 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron as a medical administrative specialist and was soon hired as a technician in the medical section where he served until his retirement in 1985. Blazevic graduated from the NCO Academy and served as an instructor.

He helped start the Minnesota National Guard Enlisted Association and later served as president. Blazevic developed "Operation Patriotism," an American flag historical presentation used by 148th Fighter Wing representatives and other Air National Guard organizations throughout the nation.

During his military career, Blazevic was selected as noncommissioned officer and senior noncommissioned Officer of the Year for his outstanding duty performance, leadership and community service.

Blazevic tirelessly served his community while in the military and following his retirement. He served as the Scoutmaster for Troop 13 in Duluth for 30 years. Under his leadership, several scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He served as an American Red Cross instructor for over 40 years where he taught youth to swim and trained lifeguards.

He helped organize a local Memorial Day parade for the American Legion. He coordinated numerous Veterans Day events at schools and throughout the community. From 1998 to 2010, Blazevic volunteered with Veterans on the Lake Resort in Ely, Minnesota where he guided veterans, some who were disabled, during fishing outings and campfire events.